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Roundtable: What Do the Wizards Do If They Pick 5th?

This week has been about serious discussion of the Wizards' possibilities for their top-five pick in the upcoming draft. But it's Friday, y'all, and the last guest blogger we have lined up knows how to make every day feel like Friday. And we mean that in a good way.

The WizzNutzz are tackling the fifth pick with a mix of humor and substance. Michael Lee chimes in, and you are encouraged to do the same once more, if we haven't touched on everything that needs to be discussed.

Next Tuesday, the 19th, the Wizards will be able to pinpoint which of this week's scenarios to refer to while formulating its draft-day plan. You know, in case they haven't figured things out on their own. We'll learn that evening where the Wizards land in the NBA draft lottery.

On behalf of Wizards Insider, we appreciate the response this week, and in light of it, we'll look to re-convene the roundtable one way or another as soon as we can.

-- KeithInWashingtonDC

WizzNutzz's take: With the Wizards picking fifth in this scenario, here's who's off the board:

There is only a 12 percent chance that the Wizards will slide all the way down to the fifth spot in the lottery. Given this club's history, that pretty much makes it a sure thing. The Wizards just have a way of eventually flowing into those little hidden spaces of under-achievement. It's our franchise osmosis.

What is Ernie Grunfeld thinking about in the 5-spot? He's thinking:

Ah, the good old days. (Photo by John Iacono /Sports Illustrated)

"I need to retire. I really can't take this anymore. I need to call up my old buddy Bernard King and we need to head down to Key West and open that little bar like we always talked about doing -- "Ernie & Bernie's" -- just like Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines in that movie Running Scared."

Ernie isn't thrilled about drafting fifth because this draft is thin. Thinner than Andray Blatche on an American Apparel photo shoot. Drafting from this class is like being a young woman in Alaska: the odds are good but the goods are odd!

Let's take a look at who Washington might have available at 5. There's Arizona State's James Harden, a younger version of the older version of Mitch Richmond. There is Wayne Ellington, who NBA scouts describe as a "better dressed Calbert Cheaney." There are players who would address some of Washington's needs but wouldn't fill others. Guys who can shoot the three-ball but can't defend it (Stephen Curry). Guys who can defend the three-ball but can't shoot it (Tyreke Evans). And guys who can't shoot or defend but who have active blogs (Brandon Jennings)!

There is near-consensus opinion that should he fail to land one of the top two picks in the draft, Grunfeld will try to package the pick with one or two of the uglier contracts on the current roster and trade down or out of the draft, looking to bring in return a decent veteran and some cap relief. Grunfeld has a reputation for being a skilled deal-maker, but he is going to have his work cut out for him moving Etan Thomas and Mike James. Thomas has an escalator clause in his contract, and James has an obscure trade kicker which stipulates that any team picking up his deal must also sign his TV nanny.

I know the popular trade on the Wizards Insider comments board is James and Thomas for all-star Chris Bosh ("The salaries match, I checked!!!!") but Ernie has as good a chance of pulling that off as he does returning Mike James to New Orleans for store credit!

If the Wizards pick 5th, they should: Draft James Harden.

Grunfeld explores trading down for an offensively minded shooting guard (Ty Lawson, Gerald Henderson, Terrence Williams), but in the end Washington keeps the pick. Abe Pollin pays the luxury tax. Yes I know, Pollin is famously frugal. He has his dental work done by students. He's been accused of cutting the arena nacho cheese with baking soda. Abe's idea of "luxury tax" is tipping the shoe-shine boy! But as much as he likes to save money, Abe likes to win even more. And he wants to win now. Mr. Pollin has only two things left on his bucket list: Jam with all six original members of the J. Geils Band, and win another NBA Championship. He will give Ernie the green light to do whatever helps the team right now.

Grunfeld will save the James/Thomas contracts to chum the trade waters later next season, and use the pick to draft Harden. Why Harden? He's a scorer and can produce immediately off the bench in a variety of ways.

I know some people think we already have this player in Nick Young. "More minutes for Nick!" they holler. But you know who else demanded "more minutes for Nick"? The producers of Family Ties, after Alex left for college, and we all know how that worked out.

Michael Lee's take: I won't bother entering a lengthy discussion about the benefits of drafting Arizona forward Jordan Hill at the fifth pick or speculating about more possible trade scenarios. I'll just briefly say that Hill would be another project for the Wizards because he is very raw and hasn't played organized basketball for a long time. Teams are more intrigued by the 6-foot-10 forward's athleticism and upside. USC's DeMar DeRozen and Memphis point guard Tyreke Evans could also sneak in at this selection.

Hey, the last guy from Arizona to go to Washington did alright. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

But I'll just take this time to look back on what happened to the Wizards the last time they had the No. 5 pick and how much the league, especially the East, has changed since the summer of 2004. At the time, the Wizards were coming off a 25-57 season in which Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes missed significant time because of injury and Eddie Jordan completed his first season as head coach of his hometown team.

Ernie Grunfeld's dilemma back then was trying to find the complementary piece(s) to place next to Arenas and Hughes to turn this woebegone franchise into a playoff team. But in the past five years, the acquisition of Antawn Jamison has helped contribute to four playoff appearances and some deflating injuries that cost the team two first round series against Cleveland and one entire regular season.

If Grunfeld gets the fifth pick again, his dilemma is much greater because the playoffs are not enough for the Wizards and their fans. They have to advance at least to the conference semifinals and they have a new coach whose past four seasons all ended with trips to the conference finals. Even at full strength, the Wizards as currently constructed are not a serious title contender, especially in an Eastern Conference that is gradually improving with the talent influx from the draft, free agency and trades. It is far better than the conference was in the summer of 2004.

Cleveland has surpassed the Wizards by leaps and crab-dribble bounds and will likely sit atop the East through next season -- and for as long as LeBron James stays in town. James looks like he is headed toward a Jordan-like dominance in the near future, meaning that the Wizards will have to build a super team to defeat a super ball player. Boston is getting older and could take a step back. Orlando will only get better behind emerging big man Dwight Howard. Still, it would be tough, but not impossible, to crack the top three in the conference.

So where do the Wizards fit in? They fall in that mix with Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia and Chicago -- young teams that are still trying to find their way into the upper echelon of the league. The Detroit Pistons will likely move into a rebuilding mode, unless they can quickly regroup this summer with all of their draft picks. And teams like Toronto and Charlotte could make it interesting.

The fifth pick probably isn't the building block that can take the Wizards very far, but unlike the teams that they are looking up at in the East, Washington is set improve faster than most. But the Wizards also have the toughest challenge of all the teams in the NBA lottery. They could blame their futility last season on injuries and youngsters and veterans playing outside of their roles. But now, with the healthy players back, they have to get it together, get out of the first round or get another plan.

Comments

Package the picks and a vet to get a nice young player so the window of success improves dramatcially

Posted by: merajc86 | May 15, 2009 1:00 PM

I would't mind seeing either Jordan Hill aka "stinky" on our squad or James Harden. I would much rather prefer a different player, and would like to package the 5th if we get it but if at the end of the day we end up with either one of these guys I would not be to terribly unhappy.

Posted by: LooseCannon1 | May 15, 2009 1:01 PM

Hey! WizzNutzz! Leave the comedy writing to the Late Show.

At 5, I hope Ernie takes:

Curry - Immediate bench-help and possible PG upgrade

Ty Lawson - We aren't going anywhere next year w/o an upgrade at back-up PG. It is evident now why Crit has never caught-on anywhere, he can't/won't shoot.

Evans - An incredible slasher with a huge up side.

Blair - A reach sure, but he will pay dividends come playoff time. We need him with the softee's we have.

Posted by: closg | May 15, 2009 1:10 PM

Maybe we package the pick along with Mike James and Etan Thomas and trade down to 17. We seem to be more comfortable there, anyway. Less pressure. We could probably pick up Greivis Vasquez at 17 -- that's only 31 spots before people expect him to go. At least Hugo Chavez would be happy. I bet he'd send Abe Pollin a copy of Mao's Little Red Book.

Or perhaps we trade the pick to Dallas for their first rounder in 2024 provided he hires Ernie Grunfeld away from us.

Seriously, folks, there's a really good player waiting for us at the 5 spot. Now if we could just figure out who it is...

Posted by: Samson151 | May 15, 2009 1:17 PM

Thanks again for this series of posts on the draft. I love this kind of educated speculation. Maybe the next series, after Tuesday can be an in-depth look at the best possibilities for us in the 1st and in the second rounds while we are conducting our pre-draft camps.
It seems to me that we have one very broad area that we need to improve in, team defense. A very good defender could help, but I believe an improved system under the new coach, strong rotations and substitutions, as well as each player understanding their role should move us up to the middle of the league on defense. With our scoring, we can win 50+ games if we do that. So, that would not be my top priority.
I agree with many posters that we need a bruising rebounder at the 4, play some defense, etc. Blake Griffin is the obvious choice if we can land him. I am not as sold on Hill from AZ, but he may develop. If we go that route, let's trade down and take Blair out of Pitt, a bruiser with great post moves. Short I know, but if you saw the 1st Pitt/Uconn game, he schooled Thabeet.
I believe our other big need is for an excellent shooter, does not need to be the greatest athlete but can put the ball in the basket on kickouts from the Big 3. Deshawn may be able to regain that, occasionally Nick can, etc., but we need a John Paxson, Tim Legler, etc. type of shooter. James Harden might be the best option, but could we trade down and get a spot up shooter just as good and get another asset as well? I believe we could.
All of these scenarios will be tough to pull off, even for a GM who has done the wheelin' and dealin' like EG, but as many have said, with all of our assets (and EG always emphasizes that)and a short window to win or begin the process anew, this is a key time and a key pick for us.
Ron

Posted by: faninAlex | May 15, 2009 1:24 PM

love the post Wizz Nutt, but the reality of the Gizzards situation is that they just paid Flip big bucks so we are going after all the Pistons that are available. Then we'll draft Blakey or Thabeet because Dwight is in our division, not LeBron. We have to make our rival meeting with the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals or Abe's "Bucket List" will always be incomplete.

Posted by: gz_2m | May 15, 2009 1:24 PM

Good stuff WIzzNuutzz. Correction on your percentages, though:

17.8% chance at the first pick
35.0% chance at a top 2 pick
51.4% chance at a top 3 pick
78.6% chance at a top 4 pick

Therefore, the Wiz have a 21.4% chance of picking 5th, not 12% as you say.

Posted by: TheFunBunch | May 15, 2009 1:25 PM

Breaking great - fantastic news - Maryland basketball lost out on a possible great recruit - Deshawn Painter announced he is going to NC State.

Maryland football will finish with a 2-10 record in 2009.

Maryland basketball will finish with a 15-16 record in 2009-10 -- No NCAA bid - No NIT bid.

Gary Williams is probably on the golf course.

Carolina Blue - Carolina WHITE - Go Tar Heels - Let's go Tar Heels

Posted by: hclark1 | May 15, 2009 1:35 PM

^ yo flamer, it can't be "breaking news" when you post it every day back to back

Posted by: LooseCannon1 | May 15, 2009 1:43 PM

Nice work WizzNutzz ...

My Fav: "Thinner than Andray Blatche on an American Apparel photo shoot."

Posted by: truthaboutit | May 15, 2009 1:45 PM

Closg - the late night writers have sucked lately.

Great job by truthaboutit, bullets forever, wizznutz and Wizards insider on this round table and thanks again for letting us participate.

We sat back and watched as some of you guys understood what the purpose of this roundtable was for (kalo, crs, samson just to mention a few) and even enjoyed the attempts to discredit certain websites - namely ours by prescrunk, Gshawn.

I know that for our piece we could have easily written about why you draft Thabeet, but the purpose was to have some fun. If you want to read about selecting Thabeet at 3, go read ESPN, CNNSI, FOxSports, Draftexpress, Hoopsworld, nba.com or this blog for that matter.

The bottom line is that all of our websites serve the same purpose and do different things for the Wiz community.

Prada and his team are phenomenal at what they do @ BF, as is Kyle at Truth about It, and anybody who doesn't like Wizznutz has no funny bone.

That being said, we look forward to being more active on the Wizards Insider and invite all to come out to Wizards Extreme if you'd like to talk Wiz basketball on a message board format.

As for the 5th pick if we are so unlucky to fall this far, my take is we trade the pick. Then again, outside of Blake Griffin, im all for trading the pick regardless of whether it's 2 thru 5.

Posted by: wizardsextreme1 | May 15, 2009 1:48 PM

Hey Troll hclark1, what are you 10 years old? You posted the same crap yesterday.

Posted by: closg | May 15, 2009 1:49 PM

Great series! Hats off to the guest bloggers to Keith and Michael. Some very informative and entertaining write-ups.

Next week we can put some of the speculation to rest.

Posted by: JPRS | May 15, 2009 2:12 PM

I like Stephen Curry a lot as a college player, but I don't think he'll be a great NBA player. He's too small to get starting minutes at the 2, and he'd likely struggle to defend bigger players at that position. For comparison, I like Juan Dixon even more than Curry, but look at Juan's NBA career for a preview of Curry's.

The main differences between Dixon and Curry: Curry is probably a stronger shooter (tough call since he's played most of his his college ball against lesser competition. I don't think his numbers would have been so big on an ACC team). Curry has also played point guard, though I see him as a more natural 2.

An NBA team drafting Curry will probably want to at least try him at point and hope he excels in that role, or they'll at least attempt to match him up against opposing PGs on defense. I'm thinking he'll end up as a career 6th-man for offense off the bench. If I were a GM I wouldn't touch him before the late 1st. Mock drafts are projecting he'll go much higher.

A bunch of other options in this draft look better for the Wizards to me, but if Washington falls towards the bottom of the lottery I expect they'll trade the pick. I'd like to see them trade down, not out, unless they land a great younger veteran in the deal.

Posted by: gophercrow | May 15, 2009 2:17 PM

Wizznutzz is hilarious.

If we're drafting 5th, you go with DeRozen and his rapper friend.

Posted by: Dellis2 | May 15, 2009 2:20 PM

Hey, Wizznutzz, update your site. I'm in withdrawl here. There hasn't been a new post up in nearly two weeks. C'mon, now. I need my fix.

Posted by: CDon | May 15, 2009 2:30 PM

closg: the Late Show is a show. Shows don't write anything. Thanks, Wizznutzz!

Posted by: IrenePollin | May 15, 2009 2:47 PM

I'm starting to recognize more and more that we might not be able to move the expiring contracts of Thomas and James for a valuable asset. There's the Thomas trade kicker plus who are we really going to be able to get for a couple of prospects and 13 mil in expiring money. Not the stud we want. Throwing in the 4 or 5 pick in a weak draft won't pull a Bosh. So why package them for a 2nd tier guy?

If we can get one of the big three in the draft (Griff, Rubio, Thabeet) then we should use the some of our young prospects and Songaila and Deshawn to get another expiring contract or two. If we get the 4th or 5th pick, trade back in the draft to get Blair or Henderson, etc. and get a larger expiring contract.

We might as well enter the 2010 sweepstakes. We could add a veteran like Luke Ridnour, Mike Miller, Marcus Camby, Raja Bell, Darko. These guys would be part of the one year rotation and add to our 2010 cap space. Teams like Minnesota, Charlotte, Milwaukee, etc. might as well move the contract and get value because no one will sign with them as a free agent.

I have come to like Haywood, but I don't want to pay him his 2010 asking price when he will be 30. We should really start to view him as our anchor in the paint for 09 and let him walk to better use that money.

With Haywood, Etan and Mike James we will have almost 20 mil come off the books. Trading the Songaila, Deshawn, and a prospect or pick can get us another 8-10 mil in cap space. This way you let the 09 season play out to gauge how good this core really is with the big 3 and haywood and the youngsters. Our rotation would still include Arenas, Jamison, Butler, Haywood, McGuire, McGee, Crittendon, 09 draft picks, maybe Young or Blatche, and then 3 or 4 expiring vets.

We will have the flexibility to re-sign Haywood if he breaks out plus probably add another vet contributor in 2010 to go with the big 3 and young guys. If the big 3 get close, but Haywood is not worth the asking price we can go after a big name. We may not be the Knicks and able to pull Lebron, but we offer DC, a roster with AllStars and young talent, plus big cash. Why wouldn't you sign with us if you are Amare or Joe Johnson.

If everything fails, we would still have to flexibility to move pieces of the big 3 to do sign and trades to acquire a major star or two. Maybe move Caron or Jamison in part of the package to get someone. Maybe we can even snake a restricted free agent like Brandon Roy or Rudy Gay.

Bottom line is that instead of trying to overpay for a contributing vet and locking ourselves into the big 3 investment. Don't force a trade of Etan and Mike James. We should use this opportunity to hold onto their value, get from under a couple of longer contracts to guys that don't fit in our rotation, and then see what the current team can do before we make a major move next summer.

Posted by: gorebd82 | May 15, 2009 2:58 PM

I'll say what I and many others have said 1000 times; as long as Abe Pollin owns this team they will be also-rans AT BEST. He ain't frugal, he is CHEAP as hell and every player and coach that gets sucked into this black hole soon finds that out and just bides his time until being able to escape.
What a pathetic bucket of (poop) owners here in Washington with Snyder, Pollin and the Lerners. All we need now is to have Peter Angelos buy the Caps.

Posted by: pd2710 | May 15, 2009 2:59 PM

"An NBA team drafting Curry will probably want to at least try him at point and hope he excels in that role, or they'll at least attempt to match him up against opposing PGs on defense. I'm thinking he'll end up as a career 6th-man for offense off the bench. If I were a GM I wouldn't touch him before the late 1st."

He's a great kid with a great backstory. I wonder if he'll be a Craig Hodges / Steve Kerr type as a pro. Struggles won't so much be on offense as on the other end.

Wish him luck.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 15, 2009 3:14 PM

pd27: "I'll say what I and many others have said 1000 times"

That would be 1001.

Please, nobody else...

Posted by: Samson151 | May 15, 2009 3:17 PM

"Why wouldn't you sign with us if you are Amare or Joe Johnson."

Well, money would be one big reason. Those guys both want more of it. The other would be style of play. I'm guessing Amare's druthers would involve Mike D'Antoni or someplace warm (he's from Florida). Johnson is from Little Rock so he might prefer to live in a place where you could get a decent plate of barbecue.

But the main thing is they've both demonstrated that cursed desire to be paid.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 15, 2009 3:21 PM

goreb: "This way you let the 09 season play out to gauge how good this core really is with the big 3 and haywood and the youngsters. "

Not to be a smart-aleck, but I suspect we already know how good they'll be.

Not quite good enough.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 15, 2009 3:26 PM

"But the main thing is they've both demonstrated that cursed desire to be paid."

"Not to be a smart-aleck, but I suspect we already know how good they'll be.

Not quite good enough."

These are exactly my point as to why we should start working to shed salary rather than add salary. If we use our current role players, prospects and picks to acquire expiring contracts, we will have enough coming off the books to pay for a true baller.

We should sit through the 09 season with everyone healthy (hopefully) and at the end of the season see who is really worth keeping, then use the cap space accordingly.

Posted by: gorebd82 | May 15, 2009 3:43 PM

The pickings are pretty slim after you get past Griffin, Rubio, and Thabeet. All of the remaining options like Hill, Harden, Curry, Lawson, etc. have project written all over them or a flaw that makes them an unworthy top 5 pick. Personally, I'd be happy if the Wiz could unload any pick after the first 3 along with either Etan or James' contracts on a team looking to create cap space for 2010. Did I hear someone say the N.Y. Knicks?

I'd love to see David Lee in a Wizards uniform next year as our starting PF even if it mean Antwan as 6th man. He's the rugged low post scorer/rebounder/defender that we don't have on the roster and is needed to compete in the East. Don't know if the Knicks are willing to part with him but he's do for a significant pay raise after his rookie contract is up. I could see us doing that trade but not sure the Knicks would unless we throw in one of young bigs who had some upside.

I'd be ok with taking Harden at #5.
Or,we could see if Kevin McHale(whose Wolves have 3 first round pick this year) wants the 5th overall pick in exchange for the 18th overall in 2009 and his 1st rounder (top 3 protected) in 2010.
At 18, we could take BJ Mullens the Center from Ohio State or Wayne Ellington from UNC.
There is a chance DeJuan Blair could be there at 18 but he will likely go to the Pistons at #15.

Posted by: jeremybozz | May 15, 2009 4:14 PM

Here's the best quote for today:

"a young woman in Alaska: the odds are good but the goods are odd!"

Posted by: liveride | May 15, 2009 4:17 PM

Great blogs the past week.
Nice to get other opinions (not like there ain't opinions here normally).
Any suggestions what we should do next Tuesday???
Cross our fingers, burn sage,rub the rabbits foot, think good thoughts about Kawame???

Posted by: VBFan | May 15, 2009 4:26 PM

5th pick Derozen or Brandon Jennings

Posted by: Imjustlikemusiq | May 15, 2009 7:30 PM

Way to go WizzNutzz! An Ike Austin Cheese Boot to you!

Posted by: pjkiger1 | May 15, 2009 8:59 PM

Harden has definite skills but is a risk. He lacks an NBA body and athleticism. His decent size combined with the lower skill level of competition in the NCAA veiled his physical shortcomings. They were on display in the tournament, when the ratcheted tournament defensive pressure took him out of his game. I think he is a solid starter for years to come: he has a good shot, is omnipresent on the court owing to superior anticipation, thinks asymmetrically when necessary, hustles. Not bad, and we could certainly use a replacement for Meshawn at the two, but not that 4th 'near all-star' we need to push ourselves into contention. I say we trade down to 12 or so and get another solid contributor - one with muscle, such as Blair - and throw in one of our maddening, immature, maybe will-maybe won't develop youngsters, Blatche or Young for a solid back-up point guard or shooting guard. That would solidify our front and back courts simultaneously, while reducing Romper Room antics in the locker room, thereby helping the development of Mcgee and whichever of the two kids we decide to keep.

Posted by: SammyT1 | May 15, 2009 9:20 PM

If we can't get Griffin we should deal the pick. We either get the #1 pick or bust as far as I'm concerned.

We also need SOMEONE who can rebound. Be it a starter or someone off the bench, a backup PF or C, whatever. Our current roster has no one that fits that need. It is a must have.

For instance...

A trade of Etan, James, Young, Blatche and the #2 pick for Hughes and David Lee.

Posted by: Darnell1 | May 15, 2009 9:34 PM

For instance...

A trade of Etan, James, Young, Blatche and the #2 pick for Hughes and David Lee.

Posted by: Darnell1

are you serious?

Posted by: toohoes | May 15, 2009 9:53 PM

EVANS or LAWSON-After watching Brooks run around the Lakers, I think we need a PG..Evans has a huge upside. We could also trade down and get the kid from USC. He will be the bomb too.

Posted by: bszdnva | May 15, 2009 10:10 PM

What is the incentive for another team to trade up to #5?

Posted by: cballer | May 15, 2009 10:14 PM

Trade the pick along with one expiring contract for a lower first rounder.

That gives us still a 1st round pick and now we can use our 2nd round pick.

Draft the best two players we can get from the draft and go from there.

We now have two more fresh chickens that nobody believes the Wizards have time for, but if my count is right, we still have two more seasoned old chickens that smell kinda foul that we need to get rid of.

James, Thomas, Songaila/Pech.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 15, 2009 10:46 PM

Very funny writer - the Post can use his writing style

Posted by: nativedc | May 15, 2009 10:53 PM

Trade the pick for KWAME BROWN and a bag of chips.

Posted by: glawrence007 | May 15, 2009 10:58 PM

Premonition:

We will get the third pick and take HASHEEM THABEET.

Posted by: glawrence007 | May 15, 2009 11:03 PM

Roundtable, it seems that all scenarios have been covered. However, with that being said, Ernie may still surprise us all.

I hope he does.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 15, 2009 11:17 PM

if we don't get #1 (griffin) ernie will trade it for veteran help. that is his style. in ernie i trust, guy knows what he is doing. either way, i'm sure we will be satisfied. playoffs next year, book it.

Posted by: toohoes | May 15, 2009 11:44 PM

A Hot Plate salute for Wizznutz! Nice work...

I would trade the 5th pick to the Jazz for Ronnie Brewer and their 1st round pick. Now you can unload DeBrick's reasonable salary along with James or Thomas hopefully. You've got Brewer playing next to McGuire and the perimeter defense looks way more sturdy. Don't forget you may nab DeJuan Blair with the Jazz's selection.

I must agree that Tyler H is not going to be the complete bust most people think. I mean look at the Scola's and David Lee's in the league. What he will bring is more intensity than most NBA players bring on a nightly basis. I mean I've been to plenty of games where the level of energy in the first 3 quarters resembled some pickup games I've played in.

I don't agree on the East being so much better. I think Orlando is highly suspect, Atlanta although talented is, well, Atlanta, Boston is aging before our eyes as predicted (lucky for them they got their championship grab out of the way), and Cleveland is aging at some key positions. Wallace, Z, and Joe Smith are all in or pushing their mid 30's. That's pretty much their entire frontline minus the mop top. Maybe they reload, but it's probably not going to come from the draft as they will be picking late for a while.

My point is that the East is still very much within our grasp if, maybe a big if, we stay healthy and we have some incremental progress from NY, Blatche, Crit etc... Flip is also a big improvement over Eddie Jordan for all those that constantly whine about his firing still. I know Cleveland will not want to see us in the playoffs bc we are a matchup problem for them. Even without Arenas we won two games last year. They haven't been touched this year so far by the supposedly improved Eastern conference teams. Hell, they will probably take out Boston or Orlando in 5.

Who are our old guys? Jamison at 32? Haywood at 30? We still got time with these guys, but they got to show the will and stay healthy. If we do that, a 4 seed and a dangerous team ala Denver this year is very possible!

Posted by: rphilli721 | May 16, 2009 4:37 AM

BLAKE GRIFFIN nothing else worth the time.
Very Weak draft!
The Wiz have the talent they just don't know how to win.

Posted by: shamken | May 16, 2009 5:59 AM

"let's trade down and take Blair out of Pitt, a bruiser with great post moves. Short I know, but if you saw the 1st Pitt/Uconn game, he schooled Thabeet.:

Another great kid. Still I can't help thinking that Lonnie Baxter schooled a lot of taller guys in college, and wasn't able to continue that success as a pro.

Blair's got those long, Elton Brand-style arms, that's a help. But Thabeet's no threat offensively. What does Blair do with a guy who can move out and hit the twelve foot jumper? In other words, many of the PFs in the NBA.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 6:09 AM

mike sweetney was another short husky long armen bruiser. he was a high draft pick but his game didn't transition well in the league

Posted by: lilhollywood10 | May 16, 2009 6:32 AM

Reading newspapers from around the league: the Warriors' fans are lasered in on picking up Chris Bosh from Toronto (who they refer to incessantly as the 'Craptors'). The FO is feeding rumors to the masses about possible deals involving Andres Biedrins, their top choice, and anybody else Toronto would agree to take off their hands, including Brandan Wright, a prime example of why young big men should stay for more than a year of college.

Replacing GM Chris Mullin with another guy will no doubt spur a complete turnaround in the team's fortunes. I mean, doesn't it always?

The Mavs' fans see themselves a lot closer to success, especially after beating San Antonio. They hunger for Jerry Stackhouse, not the current model (who'll play elsewhere) but the bench scorer of three years ago. Good luck, huh? The draft doesn't get a lot of attention when you're picking that low, so the media is focusing on their midlevel exception. Hedo Turkoglu, anyone?

I guess it's reassuring in a perverse way to see folks around the league don't have any more idea what their team is doing than we have about ours.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 7:32 AM

Here's something I didn't know - Chris Anderson (the Birdman) is averaging almost 2 blocks in only 21 minutes a game.

That's way better than Dwight Howard.

Guess they don't miss Camby all that much, huh?

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 9:13 AM

DC_Man88,

Thanks for plug on Tyler Hansbrough. I have always said that what you see in Tyler Hansbrough is what you get. With his playing 4-yrs at Carolina, he is a much better prospect than most think.

Way back when I was touting his horn, I was summarily fraggled. Why, I can agree that maybe Tyler is not a traditional top 1st round pick, if the draft pool is as bad as everone keeps saying it is, his value may well turn out to be worth the gamble.

DC_Man88, I guess you're not just a bearer of bad tidings after all.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 16, 2009 10:34 AM

I like Blair, the guy's more active in the post then Sweetney ever was. He's crafty down low, and strong as an ox. Plus, he has those arms, and is quick. Very well schooled in his footwork.

Down side, he's lost a lot of weight since High School. Will he have trouble controlling it once he's secured the big contract. He wouldn't be the first guy to eat his way out of the league.

Or, will he have a high enough drive to excell in the NBA that he could get into really great condition. Remember Barkley was the "Round Mound of Rebound" coming out of College. The guy got in such great shape that he was playing a lot of 2 gaurd when he won the MVP.

Barkley ended up late in the career playing down in the post again as his weight and conditioning got harder to maintain.

I'm not saying Blair's going to be a Barkley, point I'm trying to make is conditioning is one of the hardest things to gauge when looking at 20-22 yr old guys.

I saw an interview where Blair has been in Arizona working on conditioning since the end of the season. I'm thinking he's going to workout well, and will move up a lot of boards. Not sure the Wiz will be able to trade down and get him.

And the whole Thabeet/Blair thing, did some of you guys watch Both Games? Blair hyperextended Thabeet's shoulder in the first two minutes of game one. He did outplay Thabeet the rest of the way in that big win.

Pitt also won the second matchup, but Thabeet played a very solid game, and certainly didn't "backdown" from the tough physical play. Actually it was Young who was the big difference maker in that one. He's another guy to watch as a pro.

My 3,4,5, would be Thabeet, Hill, and Blair. I just don't see where Ernie will be able to trade out of those slots and get an Allstar in return.

The most "tradable" spot is the two. There will be teams willing to trade up and get Rubio. NY seems logical because Ernie could offer Rubio and the chance to clear cap space for 2010.

But I'm still not convinced that if Sacramento picks 1st that they'll pick Griffin over Rubio. Then if the Wiz get the two Griffin could still be on the board. Petrie might also try and milk the #2 team for considerations to swap even though he really wants Rubio.

Everything will really heat up once the draw's been made next week.
GM

Posted by: flohrtv | May 16, 2009 10:39 AM

"Petrie might also try and milk the #2 team for considerations to swap even though he really wants Rubio."

That'd be a big YES.

Back to an earlier discussion: I like two seniors in the middle of the first round: Eric Maynor of Virginia Tech, and Earl Clark of Louisville. Although Cardinal players haven't got a great track record in the NBA... he's a serviceable forward. Maynor is a tough pass-first PG a little like Mario Chalmers, who was also underrated.

Gerald Henderson has improved by leaps and bounds. Thing is, where's he going to find a team in the NBA that plays the disciplined style he's accustomed to? But as an athlete and scorer, he's very accomplished.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 10:53 AM

My point is that the East is still very much within our grasp if, maybe a big if, we stay healthy and we have some incremental progress from NY, Blatche, Crit etc... Flip is also a big improvement over Eddie Jordan for all those that constantly whine about his firing still. I know Cleveland will not want to see us in the playoffs bc we are a matchup problem for them. Even without Arenas we won two games last year. They haven't been touched this year so far by the supposedly improved Eastern conference teams. Hell, they will probably take out Boston or Orlando in 5.

Who are our old guys? Jamison at 32? Haywood at 30? We still got time with these guys, but they got to show the will and stay healthy. If we do that, a 4 seed and a dangerous team ala Denver this year is very possible!

Posted by: rphilli721 | May 16, 2009 4:37 AM

Rphilli721,

Those comments is why I always was against all year the comments that tended to suggest that the players were the biggest problem.

Who would have thought that one player swap would have meant so much for Denver. It just goes to show how sometimes small adjustments can bring huge results.

Like being forced to play Brendan Haywood significant minutes because Etan was hurt.

No one really knows whether adding a good vet or just drafting a rookie now like, Tyler, or Ty Lawson from Clinton, MD, or even Ellington would turn out to have huge implicatons for this Wizards Team.

The core of this Team is pretty good and Gilbert is pretty Damn good, (let it ride DCMAN), so who really knows.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 16, 2009 11:04 AM

Do any of you know who Tyreke Evans is?

He's the Memphis point guard with the Lebron-like game, who's coming out because Calipari left. He's 6'7, with the some of same upside as Lebron-he can pass, shoot, run the team-while being a total match-up nightmare.He's also had one year of college so he may come in more refined than James, if only slightly. But Evans has the same style game as Lebron did coming in. He just doesn't have the hype-yet. I find it fascinating/interesting that so many of folks are ready to trade the pick and come up with all of these draft day permutations let's not outsmart ourselves with the DAN SNYDER-esqe gyrations.
Just because two know-nothing writers say there is no talent, it's a weak draft blah, blah, blah-doesn't mean that it actually is.

Posted by: ArmchairGM | May 16, 2009 11:12 AM

Hansbrough is going to be a glue guy like Battier. Not really a guy that you'd want to take with a top 5 pick. But in the middle of the first round , he'll be a solid pro with a long career.

A Songaila type guy with a possible upside. But at worst a solid 6-10 guy on a roster.

This will be a draft with some very solid guys, just not a lot of guys that project out to be Allstars. But a lot of years, some of the sure things are wiffs...

I'd take Hansbrough over some of the guys picked in the top 10 in the last 5 years.
GM

Posted by: flohrtv | May 16, 2009 11:15 AM

If we end up with #5 then put the next 10 prospects in a bag shake em up and pick one.

Trading the 5 & ET & MJ and/or anyone else???
What's in it for the other team?
Not much as far as I can see.
And not much for the Wizzies.
You gotta have something that someone else wants before you can make a trade work for the Wizzies. The big 4 (AJ,CB,GA & BT)ain't going anywhere.
I don't see that happening.

We have an 82.2% chance of "NOT" winning the #1 pick. So let's not get too excited about Blake G.

Posted by: VBFan | May 16, 2009 11:36 AM

Evans, Clark, Henderson, Blair, Lawson, and Young are six reasons why the guys that are hollering this is a one man draft don't really have a clue.

Any one of these guys "COULD" develop into an Allstar. Evans is an example of a guy that could slip like Pual Pierce and then come in and play with a chip on his shoulder.

I can see where you could compare him to Mayo in many ways, but he's not getting talked about at the top of this draft. That could change once workouts really get geared up for the top guys.

Clark is just one of those guys that seems to not get the eye popping production that you'd expect. He's a little like Jamison in that, where do you project him to play?
But he really can play.

And I still really like Curry, in the right system he could really be something. On the wrong team, he could struggle.
GM

Posted by: flohrtv | May 16, 2009 11:40 AM

"Here's something I didn't know - Chris Anderson (the Birdman) is averaging almost 2 blocks in only 21 minutes a game.

That's way better than Dwight Howard.

Guess they don't miss Camby all that much, huh?

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 9:13 AM "

Huh?

What are you talking about?

Camby averaged over a double double during his tenure at Denver, and averaged around 3 blocks.

Camby was paid a lot more and got more minutes, but to say that what Camby brought to the table isn't missed anymore is ridiculous.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 16, 2009 12:02 PM

Evans, Clark, Henderson, Blair, Lawson, and Young are six reasons why the guys that are hollering this is a one man draft don't really have a clue.

Any one of these guys "COULD" develop into an Allstar. Evans is an example of a guy that could slip like Pual Pierce and then come in and play with a chip on his shoulder.

Agreed GM.

Perceptions, sometimes can blind us. Since we donot have those first rate blue chippers other than Blake and Rubio, though I don't think Rubio is, this draft gets branded a weak one.

But, this draft class may pan out to be just as good any of the supposedly top draft classes.

Especially now since the class has been rated so low, they all now very well may come in with something to prove, a chip on their shoulder so-to-speak as you aptly put, like Gilbert Arenas you might say.

Now, GM, isn't that something.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 16, 2009 12:12 PM

"Hansbrough is going to be a glue guy like Battier. Not really a guy that you'd want to take with a top 5 pick. But in the middle of the first round , he'll be a solid pro with a long career.

A Songaila type guy with a possible upside. But at worst a solid 6-10 guy on a roster.

This will be a draft with some very solid guys, just not a lot of guys that project out to be Allstars. But a lot of years, some of the sure things are wiffs...

I'd take Hansbrough over some of the guys picked in the top 10 in the last 5 years.
GM

Posted by: flohrtv | May 16, 2009 11:15 AM "

LOL!

I'd rather draft a player higher who actually has a greater likelihood to help and produce for the team rather than draft guys who have more "potential" up high who have yet to consistently produce anything.

They include Kwame Brown, OPech, Peter John Ramos, JaTravel, etc.

I'm willing to bet if Tyler H. had the same amount of PT that JaTravel had last season, that he would make more of an impact.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 16, 2009 12:16 PM

I think Tyreke evans is worth the #2 pick, let alone #5. In fact, he has more upside than blake griffin imho.

but the issue is he will want the ball a lot and he's not going to get it. If ernie drafts him, evans is going to have to be ok with eanring pt through playing perimeter D. Something Nick Young refuses to do. at 6'6" and with a handle, tyreke evans could develop into a force at 1 or 2. But will he commit to defense for us?

Hansbrough wont be able to guard anyone in the nba, so while probably having a solid pro career, it's not the career we are looking for.

anyways, for my money, Tyreke Evans is probably the best player in the draft...though I wont compare him to Lebron!

Posted by: divi3 | May 16, 2009 12:28 PM

Tyler Hansbrough also can run he floor. Being able to run the floor carries great importance.

Time and time again I have seen in this playoffs guard play where the guard pushing the ball up the floor had to curtail the attack becuase none of his players could get down the court ahead of him fast enough.

Now most you know that I want to see Uptempo Fast Breaking play and Hansbrough along with the obvious can run the floor which makes him a far better player than a Darius S. type.

His NBA learning curve would not be a hindrance and though not a great prospect, his fit for this Team, I bet would be well beyond that of Thomas and Songaila.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 16, 2009 1:05 PM

Does anyone remember how it played out this past season when Blake Griffin visited Chapel Hill? I think UNC won, but didn't watch the same so I didn't see how well he matched up with TH.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 16, 2009 1:14 PM

dcman: Camby was paid a lot more and got more minutes, but to say that what Camby brought to the table isn't missed anymore is ridiculous."

Good thing I didn't actually say that then.

What I said was I guessed they didn't miss him all that much.

Not the same thing, is it? Denver fans were aghast at the team letting Camby go. Turns out they overreacted.

Andersen's better than I thought he was. I thought he was averaging slightly under 2 blocks in 21 minutes a game. Turns out he's averaging 2.42 in 20.5 minutes, which over 48 minutes would be a remarkable 5.68 a game.

Now before you get a chance to misinterpret that, here's what I didn't say:
I didn't say Chris was a better player than Marcus.
Or that Marcus was of no value to Denver.
Or Chris is a rounded player with scoring skills like Camby.
Or that in a pinch I would take Andersen over the other.
Or that Andersen will remain drug-free or that he will contribute mightily to Denver's play against the Lakers or that he's a third-best power forward in the Western Conference or that I like his tats or that I think he's entirely sane.

Likewise I didn't say anything nasty about Camby, either. I didn't fault him for his play for Denver in 2007-08 nor disparage his rebounding and defensive contribution over and above shotblocking.

Whew! Not that I think for a moment you won't find something to complain about anyway.

Good hunting.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 1:55 PM

"Good thing I didn't actually say that then.

What I said was I guessed they didn't miss him all that much.

Not the same thing, is it? Denver fans were aghast at the team letting Camby go. Turns out they overreacted.

Andersen's better than I thought he was. I thought he was averaging slightly under 2 blocks in 21 minutes a game. Turns out he's averaging 2.42 in 20.5 minutes, which over 48 minutes would be a remarkable 5.68 a game.

Now before you get a chance to misinterpret that, here's what I didn't say:
I didn't say Chris was a better player than Marcus.
Or that Marcus was of no value to Denver.
Or Chris is a rounded player with scoring skills like Camby.
Or that in a pinch I would take Andersen over the other.
Or that Andersen will remain drug-free or that he will contribute mightily to Denver's play against the Lakers or that he's a third-best power forward in the Western Conference or that I like his tats or that I think he's entirely sane.

Likewise I didn't say anything nasty about Camby, either. I didn't fault him for his play for Denver in 2007-08 nor disparage his rebounding and defensive contribution over and above shotblocking.

Whew! Not that I think for a moment you won't find something to complain about anyway.

Good hunting.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 1:55 PM "

I guess you're right after all.

To say that "they" didn't miss Camby all that much since Birdman is performing is akin to saying "Les BouleS didn't miss Gilby at all that much two seasons ago when they achieved results identical to when he was in the lineup." The latter statement of course is completely correct.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 16, 2009 2:39 PM

Does anyone know the status on Gil's knee?

He plays two games and then misses the last five. I've heard speculation that the knee was bothering him. Is this correct?

If it bothered him, then what's going to be done about it? Will he wait until just before the season begins to get more surgery, guaranteeing his absence for the entire season, or will he address it now?

What's the status, and what's being done? The franchise has been so quiet about Gil since he sat the last five games ...

What's up?

Posted by: Independent11 | May 16, 2009 2:54 PM

"Does anyone know the status on Gil's knee?

He plays two games and then misses the last five. I've heard speculation that the knee was bothering him. Is this correct?

If it bothered him, then what's going to be done about it? Will he wait until just before the season begins to get more surgery, guaranteeing his absence for the entire season, or will he address it now?

What's the status, and what's being done? The franchise has been so quiet about Gil since he sat the last five games ...

What's up?

Posted by: Independent11 | May 16, 2009 2:54 PM "

Gilby has finally realized that he needs to shut his yap until he's actually doing something on the court.

EG is and always been not forthcoming with news, so don't expect to hear anything from him.

You probably won't hear anything until training camp starts, and we for sure better not hear stupid excuses about resting the knee or not doing back to back games. Tired of the BS.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 16, 2009 3:26 PM

"To say that "they" didn't miss Camby all that much since Birdman is performing is akin to saying "Les BouleS didn't miss Gilby at all that much two seasons ago when they achieved results identical to when he was in the lineup." The latter statement of course is completely correct.Posted by: DC_MAN88"

See? I knew you could do it. Of course you changed "all that much" to 'at all that much' but heck, that's close enough for government work.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 3:40 PM

"See? I knew you could do it. Of course you changed "all that much" to 'at all that much' but heck, that's close enough for government work.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 3:40 PM "

It's easier to agree with you when you actually make sense....how rare it is though.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 16, 2009 4:10 PM

dcma: "t's easier to agree with you when you actually make sense....how rare it is though."

Now if we ever get to the point where YOU make sense... no, that's too much.

Three other players I think might turn out to be pros:

Patrick Mills, PG, St. Mary's: tough little distributor who has some of the same traits as Aaron Brooks. Not the athlete Lawson is, however.

Dermarre Carroll, F, Missouri: played on a team that was phobic about defense but but gets up and down the floor better than any forward around. A Mike D'Antoni energy player.

BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State: Scouts seem to have decided he's slow and somewhat soft. That's fair, but he's also a very good offensive player.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 4:37 PM

"Now if we ever get to the point where YOU make sense... no, that's too much.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 4:37 PM "

Can't be more rare than you...no way.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 16, 2009 5:22 PM

BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State: Scouts seem to have decided he's slow and somewhat soft. That's fair, but he's also a very good offensive player.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 4:37 PM

I think he is going back to school.

Posted by: toohoes | May 16, 2009 7:37 PM

Any idea what the luxury tax threshold is going to be next year?

If we are really willing to pay the tax, we might be able to get some good players by trading with a team that needs to shed a couple million in salary. We have to stay within the 125%+$100k limit of course, but there will be some teams that will be very, very motivated to lose that last bit of salary to get under the threshold.

Any idea which teams that will be? I'm not talking about teams that are way over the limit like the Hornets, who last year tried to ditch Tyson Chandler for pennies on the dollar. I'm talking about teams that will be just a little bit over the limit who might be interested in trading away good role players at, say, 50 cents on the dollar.

Posted by: yop32 | May 16, 2009 9:16 PM

"Now if we ever get to the point where YOU make sense... no, that's too much.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 4:37 PM "

Can't be more rare than you...no way.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 16, 2009 5:22 PM

i know you are, but what am I?

Posted by: crs-one | May 17, 2009 12:42 AM

Steve Aschburner of SI on finding the right GM:
"GMs in the NBA -- and we're including the various permutations of that job, the "presidents" and "vice presidents" of basketball operations -- don't make nearly as much money as coaches...They don't wind up in front of the cameras very often once they're dumped or take seats on the bench. Some of them get recycled, sure, or catch a bone from an employed pal to do a little scouting. Often, though, when these guys are out, they're out.

This additional harshness is balanced, however, by job security that dwarfs your standard-issue NBA coach. A savvy GM can preside over two or three coaching changes, easy, before the sludge starts to back up to the glass offices. The costs incurred by the franchise when one of them fails are more hidden. With a coach, failure can burn through weeks and seasons, and sour a relationship with a player or three. But with a GM, the spill can be toxic, seep out over time and require years of cleanup. A flop in the lottery? That's three years of guaranteed salary and the opportunity cost of carrying and paying that bust when the team could have snagged a better piece."

Posted by: Samson151 | May 17, 2009 7:59 AM

""Now if we ever get to the point where YOU make sense... no, that's too much.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 16, 2009 4:37 PM "

Can't be more rare than you...no way.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 16, 2009 5:22 PM

i know you are, but what am I?

Posted by: crs-one | May 17, 2009 12:42 AM "

Something like Harvey Fierstein maybe?

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 17, 2009 10:30 AM

Samson151
Nice piece on the GM's. I think Ernie hasn't done that bad a job considering. We don't know what limits Abe has put on him but the consensus is that they are tight. Abe has been one of the best owners in the NBA but why should he spend more when he has a full house every night? Sure he'd like to get another trophy before he's done and everyone wants to be a winner but getting to the playoffs regularly must be satisfying when balanced by the money taken in & spent.

What's gonna happen AA (After Abe)? That would be a good start of a series for Mr. Lee after the draft hype dies down. Til then we'll continue to look for more Wizzie insight here.

Though Ernie recovered well from the Kwame Brown pick by netting Butler in a trade. If Micheal Jordan hadn't wiffed so badly on that pick things could have been quite different.

Gasol was the clear choice to many at that time. But the NBA was in the mode of looking for the next Kobe, and the next Garnett, from amoung the High Schoolers. Kwame, Curry, and Chandler have all been disappointments to one degree or another.

So Jordan wasn't the only guy to screw up in that draft. Krause did it twice.

But if the Wiz would have had Gasol, then Grunfeld would have been able to look at building a roster differently. With Gasol at the 4-5, along with Haywood, when Grunfeld added Jamison the Wiz would have had a fairly solid rotation at the 4 and the 5.

Jeffries would have been able to play the 3, and concentrate on his strengths, and not worry about a lack of scoring. And Grunfeld may have bid harder to keep Hughes.

Jordan/Unseld's other moves would have looked much more solid had they not wiffed so badly on the Kwame pick.

That's why this pick is so important for the Wizards, wiff it, and it could domino down through the roster in ways we can't anticipate today.

Find the next Superman, or D. Wade and the pick could vault the team back into the top rung of the east.

Interesting Chad Ford peice on Thabeet and his predraft work outs. You don't have to be an Insider to read it. For a guy that used to savage Thabeet, Ford came away very impressed.

If the Wiz draw the third pick, I tend to think he'll be the guy. A 7'3" guy with some skills is hard to pass up.
GM

Posted by: flohrtv | May 17, 2009 12:09 PM

I think all of this great, all of these assumptions. What Wizards should do in this draft.

I think from i think it was what if wizards pick 2nd or 3rd, Trade our pick, etan, james for Amare and their pick. i know Amare has no D, but wizards have no D all together.If they wanted the wizards to get so much better we would of gotten Avery Johnson as coach.

Then with the suns pick we should draft DeJuan Blair, looks like he is one of those undersized PF that plays really big getting rebounds and put backs.

But of course all of this would change if we Get Griffin

Posted by: mdshark10 | May 17, 2009 6:14 PM

"So Jordan wasn't the only guy to screw up in that draft. Krause did it twice."

It was also an unusual draft in that it's possible the 2nd rounders and undrafted guys would (a couple seasons later) have beaten the 1st rounders.

"So Jordan wasn't the only guy to screw up in that draft. Krause did it twice.

Posted by: flohrtv | May 17, 2009 12:09 PM "

Les BouleS fans would be silly to take solace in another team's lack of success.

If you look back, the Bulls/Krause ruled the last decade.

What about Les BouleS?

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 17, 2009 6:40 PM

In the 70's the Bullets went to the finals three times and won the title once. Didn't exactly rule a decade, but from Wes's rookie year until he retired they did ok.

Point wasn't to take solace in anything, point was, when you get one of these top 5 picks you can't afford to wiff it. Grunfeld did ok the last time the team was in that position, he used the 5th pick and Stackhouse and Leattner to net Jamison.

That deal accomplished as much in changing the Wizards' chemistry in the lockerroom as it did improving the team on the floor.

Point is, a homerun with this pick could really change this team's personality yet again. A top 5 pick should yeild an important peice to the puzzle. If only one of the other youngsters becomes a valuable rotation player next year, the team could take a major step up.

This year was an agony to watch, but once Jordan got off to the horrible start it was impossible to think about playoffs. Grunfeld made what seems to be a very calculated decision to tank the rest of the season. Does anybody really think Tapscott was really expected to win any games?

The guy did a decent job of tanking in that he didn't lose his veterans, and he got through it without getting anybody else hurt.

The top 5(at worst) pick is a valuable asset. Grunfeld can pick or trade. My quess is that if he's at the two is the highest chance of a deal. At the one he takes Griffin, at the three, Thabeet.

4 or 5 that's anybody's quess and there's been some good ones. If the Wizards could net a guy as valuable to the team as Unseld was, they could have a very good next decade.

Even at the 5th pick there's some guys that could break out and have great NBA careers. The guys saying this is a one player draft haven't been looking much further then ESPN. Even ESPN's guys are changing their tunes on some of the top guys in the draft lately.

So there's a way to get another player of value added to this team's rotation. It's up to Grunfeld to figure it out. He's got a pretty good track record so far.

Samson151, Gasol's got to be the guy that's feeling redemption right now. He's risen to the top of that class, and is playing great ball on a team headed to the conference finals.

Kwame's finally became a compentant backup in the league. While Chandler and Curry could be headed for health shortened careers.

Gasol's got to be feeling pretty good about how things worked out for him.

All in all, it was a terrible draft to have the first pick. After Jordan's fueding with Krause for years over Kuko, he wasn't going to be the first guy to pick a Euro first in the draft.

Gasol had been successful at a higher level of Basketball then any of the High School guys in that draft. But Jordan seems to have based his whole pick on one workout of making Chandler and Kwame go head to head.
GM

Posted by: flohrtv | May 17, 2009 8:04 PM

"If the Wizards pick 5th, they should:..."

Trade it.

Anything less then the first pick and Griffin would be a travesty.

There's nothing in this draft for the Wizards unless it's Griffin.

- Ray

Posted by: rmcazz | May 17, 2009 8:12 PM

"In the 70's the Bullets went to the finals three times and won the title once. Didn't exactly rule a decade, but from Wes's rookie year until he retired they did ok........................

It was actually you who spent time looking back by talking about Krause and Jordan, and then me throwing all that back in your face.

Remember, you were comparing Krause with Jordan. That's much more recent than your 30+ year ago championship that Les BouleS won which happened after Unseld played 10 years with Les BouleS. Krause of course ended up with 6 rings, and would have had 8 if MJ didn't decide to try to become a baseball player.

People keeping talking/raving about how great a job EG did by trading for MeTawn.

Just how did MeTawn change "the Wizards' chemistry in the lockerroom as it did improving the team on the floor."

Exactly how deep into the playoffs has MeTawn help take the team since he arrived 5 seasons ago?

I know, it's funny....just like when GM attempts to make a point.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 17, 2009 9:41 PM

I see DC_Man88 is back on the prowl again. I thought you had some honey in your cabinets, but it looks like its all vinegar. Come on man, Kalo_rama has the black coffee and you got the vinegar.

88, is that vinegar distilled or natural?

LarryInClintonMD.

And before you get it twisted, I ain't talking about alcohol, when I say distilled.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 17, 2009 10:38 PM

"I see DC_Man88 is back on the prowl again. I thought you had some honey in your cabinets, but it looks like its all vinegar. Come on man, Kalo_rama has the black coffee and you got the vinegar.

88, is that vinegar distilled or natural?

LarryInClintonMD.

And before you get it twisted, I ain't talking about alcohol, when I say distilled.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 17, 2009 10:38 PM "

Dude, you need to seriously try to make sense and quit slobbering after kalorama's bung hole before you get caught with your brown mustache.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 17, 2009 10:43 PM

Now we get to see what the Caveliers are really made of. I felt all along that the East Champion would be decided by a team not named Boston and the Team winning might not be named Cleveland.

Now we get to see if the Lebron James Gang can prove me wrong.

Wizards fight for East Champioship next year.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 17, 2009 10:45 PM

Dude, you need to seriously try to make sense and quit slobbering after kalorama's bung hole before you get caught with your brown mustache.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 17, 2009 10:43 PM

Yeah, thats real insightful and noble of you DC_Man88, for the shot across the bow was meant for the both of you, not just one of you.

My mistake, if you failed to make sense of what I said, or did it sting a little too bad.

Yeah, looks like nothing changed. I wonder what it is like to be so inflexible and devoid of reason. Pity me for thinking you was just a tough son of gun in your blogging style, that finally had some sense of rationality underneath.

It is real easy to pontificate with nonsense, but just a might bit harder or too proud to respond in kind when someone gives you a compliment, but you'd rather respond with indignation instead.

You see I gave you a compliment back up the page, but when I likened your bloggin style to Kalo_rama, you took offense.

You see, I really wasn't hurling insults at you, I was just trying to see if you was really human, DC_Man88.

You see, some of your comments, I totally disagree with, but one you had earlier today I totally agreed with and said as much.

I am not to small or to little to agree or disagree, but you DC_Man88 must consider it a badge of honor to make personal attacks. Or, maybe its not personal, it may just be your lingo or your style.

LarryInClintonMD.

Posted by: LarryInClintonMD | May 18, 2009 12:29 AM

ain't too often I agree with Barkley, but I don't think the last game between Cleveland and Orlando was an aberration. Cleveland does not match up well with Orlando.

Posted by: G-Man11 | May 18, 2009 7:50 AM

Boston without Garnett wasn't going to matchup well with Cleveland. Boston's been slogging out wins with guts and guile.

Cleveland would have gone toe to toe with them and smothered Boston's frontline with waves of tough guys.

But Cleveland has no real matchup for Superman. Dwight's going to have to have a monster series to get Orlando past Lebron and Company. This should be fun to watch.

Out west Kobe and the Lakers aeren't going to have a cakewalk against Denver either. Should make for two interesting series.

The two underdog teams would seem to have a good chance in these series.

Hey Ray, exactly what would the Wizard's get in return for that 5th pick?

And 88, if your reading comprehension wouldn't fade after a paragraph, you might have understood the point I was trying to make. Blowing a top 5 pick has ramifications that last for years.

Wasn't comparing Jordan and Kruase, just pointing out they both blew it in the same draft. Krause blew it worse trading an Allstar to get an extra pick so he could draft Chandler and Curry.

Hit a homerun with one. like with Superman or D Wade and it changes your team for years....

A lot is riding on tomorrow night, but this draft is deeper then many are giving it credit for.
GM

Oh, and Larry that's pretty standard weekend fare on this site. Some folks go off the meds and back on the street...

Posted by: flohrtv | May 18, 2009 8:38 AM

DC Man's still teasin'
Ain't no way to please him....

Meanwhile, I am starting to think that keeping the 5 pick and using it on James Harden might be a thought... Man can shoot and defend and is starting to impress the scouts after a fairly poor NCAA tourney. he is also apparently not a knucklehead...

Posted by: khrabb | May 18, 2009 8:56 AM

LarryInClintonMD

Ignore the ignorant. You can't help those who don't want help. It is obvious that some people have issues and need attention.

Notice to everyone, I am not naming any names. If a rock is thrown into a crowd and you don't get hit, don't take offense.

Posted by: G-Man11 | May 18, 2009 9:24 AM

khrabb

I haven't seen Harden play. Does he need to dominate the ball to be effective, ala Nick Young? I assume with his "old-school" game, he can be offensively effective playing off Gil. If so, the wiz have more valid options besides just trading the pick if the wiz drop below top 2 picks.

Posted by: G-Man11 | May 18, 2009 9:29 AM

Chad Ford on ESPN.com has a positive article on Harden.

"We've had Harden ranked in the Top 5 of our Top 100 all year and after watching him work out, I think there's little chance he falls out of it. He's going to be more impressive than many would think in workouts. His slimmed-down physique and improved explosiveness should quiet any doubters. I think Oklahoma City is the team where he fits the best, but I also could see him on the Wizards in a backcourt with Gilbert Arenas. It's hard to believe he slips past both of those teams, unless they are picking No. 1 and No. 2."

Posted by: yop32 | May 18, 2009 9:45 AM

Harden seems to play within the flow of the game. That's one of the best things about him, he's got a high basketball IQ.

Not a bad pick, but T Evans would seem to have a higher upside. Only thing is when Evans played the point, he really dominated the ball. More development time, but possibly a real budding star, was a really good defender for a freshman. The guy can really get up in a player's grill, quick and long.
GM

Posted by: flohrtv | May 18, 2009 10:22 AM

One note on Harden, not that it means anything. NBADRAFT gives Harden a score of 98. They gave Brandon Roy a score of 96. If he is as good as Roy, I'd be satisfied.

Posted by: G-Man11 | May 18, 2009 10:37 AM

flohftv: "T Evans would seem to have a higher upside. Only thing is when Evans played the point, he really dominated the ball. More development time, but possibly a real budding star, was a really good defender for a freshman. The guy can really get up in a player's grill, quick and long."

Evans is an impressive athlete. Thing is, I'm a little skeptical of that Memphis DDM offense -- not whether it works, but really, how many teams in the NBA use it? New Jersey, Chicago, Boston some of the time... and they've all got young PGs. Maybe a couple others I haven't mentioned. What if he doesn't go to one of those clubs? A learning curve, that's what.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 18, 2009 10:40 AM

"One note on Harden, not that it means anything. NBADRAFT gives Harden a score of 98. They gave Brandon Roy a score of 96. If he is as good as Roy, I'd be satisfied.
Posted by: G-Man11"

Anybody would. Thing is, Roy was underestimated coming out of college because he's not as athletic as some. Harden's got the same knock. What he does have going for him -- a very good outside shot, a strong lower body, excellent hands, and the ability to help the club when his shot isn't falling -- those are things that clubs value.

His weaknesses: far as I can tell, he's not overly quick or fast, so he gets beat sometimes off the dribble or down the court. And like all shooters, he goes through slumps.

Posted by: Samson151 | May 18, 2009 10:44 AM

Samson151, Evans would be for sure the risky pick. Harden more od a sure thing, kind of like the Calbert Chaney pick.

Cal was a good player, had a nice career, but just never quite stepped it up to the next level. But because Calbert didn't improve much as a pro doesn't mean Harden will or won't.

Evans is a more unfinished project then Harden, where his game will be in 3 years is more of a quess.

That's why guys like Grunfeld make the big bucks.
GM

Posted by: flohrtv | May 18, 2009 10:59 AM

The Wizards have the athletes, but need some attitude.

It seems to me the Wizards need a big, scary, shot-blocking center to have a shot at a championship. And perfect health. And for LeBron to retire (or be neutralized by referee's actually making a traveling call.)

I think Thabeet is the answer with the current team makeup.

If the Wizards do worse than the 3rd pick, I just might start thinking they really are a luckless lot.

Posted by: clandestinetomcat | May 18, 2009 12:35 PM

"Ignore the ignorant. You can't help those who don't want help. It is obvious that some people have issues and need attention.

Notice to everyone, I am not naming any names. If a rock is thrown into a crowd and you don't get hit, don't take offense.

Posted by: G-Man11 | May 18, 2009 9:24 AM "

P#ssy boy.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 18, 2009 9:15 PM

"Oh, and Larry that's pretty standard weekend fare on this site. Some folks go off the meds and back on the street...

Posted by: flohrtv | May 18, 2009 8:38 AM "

Same goes for your attempt at logic...maybe worse.

Posted by: DC_MAN88 | May 18, 2009 9:17 PM

Wizards got number 5 pick. Thanks for the article.

Posted by: noucinfk91 | May 19, 2009 8:53 PM

If we keep it, DeRozen should be the guy and he should get consideration to start at the 2.

I'd prefer Hill but we have a poor record of developing bigs.

Posted by: original_mark | May 19, 2009 8:58 PM

or Harden. He looked good all year but played poorly in the tourney

Posted by: original_mark | May 19, 2009 8:59 PM

Dave Neal from UMD - a lock

Posted by: jwing14 | May 20, 2009 1:22 PM

Trade Jamison, Thomas or Blatche and the pick to Phoenix and get me Stoudamire. Don't draft anybody at 5 unless by holy miracle Griffin falls.